Alternatives Found to “Telecoms” Ministry Crisis
As the Lebanese braced for the announcement of a new government, optimistic levels varied between the majority March 14 forces which is hopeful that Cabinet formation could take place soon and the Opposition which is less positive.
A well-informed source from "Lebanon First" parliamentary bloc said the most significant achievement lies in Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun”s acceptance to alternatives to the telecoms ministry.
The source, however, said these alternatives, which have been discussed between Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, were kept secret.
The source told the daily An-Nahar in remarks published Tuesday that Hariri and Aoun are likely to hold a "decisive" meeting soon.
He said the "alternatives" proposed would include the ministries of justice, social affairs and others.
The source expected a Cabinet lineup to be completed by the end of this week or before the end of the month.
FPM sources, however, expressed reservation over what they considered as "leakage that does not comply with the issues raised."
Well-informed sources, meanwhile, told pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat that Hariri and Aoun have discussed "some of these alternatives" during recent talks, adding that Hariri”s offer did not please the FPM leader.
The two men, however, agreed to continue the search for a new Cabinet formula, according to the sources.
They added that the alternatives that were not considered "sufficient" by Aoun were the ministries of education, labor, displaced and culture, in addition to a ministry of state.